Vauxhall introduces lifetime warranties

Vauxhall has ‘set the cat among the pigeons’ with the introduction of a lifetime warranty on all its new cars.

Until now it is Kia that have been the warranty kings with the UK with seven-year warranties, although fellow Korean manufacturer Hyundai offers a ten-year warranty in the USA.

It seems likely that the move by Vauxhall, which points out it is Britain’s oldest surviving car manufacturer with a 107-year history, will encourage other manufacturers to look at extending their warranties, or even matching the Vauxhall offer.

The new Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty will be introduced immediately and will apply to the first owner of any Vauxhall car registered from August 1 2010. Warranty coverage will continue throughout the life of the car until it reaches 100,000 miles.

‘With the Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty, we are making a strong statement of confidence in the quality of our products and a clear intent to provide the very best customer service in the UK,’ Duncan Aldred, Managing Director of Vauxhall Motors asserted at the press conference announcing the new warranty.

The comprehensive new warranty cover includes powertrain, steering system, brake system and electrical equipment throughout the life of the vehicle. To maintain the Lifetime Warranty, owners will need to visit a Vauxhall retailer annually for a free vehicle inspection. Vauxhall has also said it plans to announce how second owners of Vauxhall cars will be able to purchase the Lifetime Warranty.